Ronaldo, other ageing stars push limits to make history at World Cup 2026
Summary
Several football players in their late 30s and early 40s, including US captain Tim Ream and stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, are set to play in the 2026 World Cup. Advances in sports science, training methods, and personal motivation help these athletes extend their professional careers despite the physical demands of the sport.Key Facts
- Tim Ream, aged 38, will be the oldest outfield player on the US World Cup team and will serve as captain.
- Other veteran players include Cristiano Ronaldo (41), Luka Modric (40), Edin Dzeko (40), Yuto Nagatomo (39), and Lionel Messi (turning 39).
- Sports science techniques such as cryotherapy and lymphatic draining support player recovery and longevity.
- Modern technology tracks numerous body markers like heart rate and muscle oxygen to optimize training and health.
- Maintaining a long career in football depends on many factors, including culture, emotional motivation, relationships, and resources.
- Footballers generally peak before age 30 and experience declines in speed and power in their 30s.
- The sport has become faster and more physical, with more matches each season, increasing demands on players’ bodies.
- Goalkeepers tend to have the longest careers; the oldest World Cup player was 45-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in 2018.
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